National cartoonist Dave Granlund's blog features his take on politics and current events -- in cartoon form

Richard Hanna explains Cut, Cap and Balance Act vote

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By Dave Granlund

National cartoonist Dave Granlund's blog features his take on politics and current events. Dave has been an editorial cartoonist published in daily newspapers since 1977. Born in Ware, Mass., Granlund began drawing cartoons in grade school and at
...

National cartoonist Dave Granlund's blog features his take on politics and current events. Dave has been an editorial cartoonist published in daily newspapers since 1977. Born in Ware, Mass., Granlund began drawing cartoons in grade school and at age 16, he was published on the editorial pages of local weekly newspapers. His eight-year enlistment in the USAF included assignments with SAC HQ and with Headquarters Command, where his duties included work as head illustrator for the Presidential Inaugural Subcommittee and providing briefing charts for the White House and support for Air Force One. As part of NATO in Operation Looking Glass with the Airborne Command Post, he was awarded the Joint Service Commendation Medal. Dave's newspaper honors include awards from UPI, New England Press Association, International Association of Business Communicators, The Associated Press and Massachusetts Press Association. His work has been nominated numerous times for the Pulitzer Prize. His pastimes and interests include history, wood carving, antique tractors and Swedish language studies.

As the federal government continues debates regarding the debt limit, U.S. Rep. Richard Hanna, R-Barneveld released a statement on his Facebook and Twitter pages explaining his vote on the Cut, Cap and Balance Act.

"I supported the Cut, Cap, and Balance Act as a way to move forward with the debt limit negotiations," Hanna wrote. "I am not interested in brinksmanship. This measure – while far from perfect – is simply the only plan currently on the table in writing."

Hanna went on to give further thoughts on the issue:

"This nation has never defaulted on a nickel, and it never should. My duty is to protect the full faith and credit of the dollar and put our nation on a long-term path to solvency that embraces the notion of shared sacrifice. Congress should put this issue behind us before Aug. 2. I hope the president and leaders of the House and Senate reach agreement on a responsible way forward as soon as possible."

The bill, which passed the House with a vote of 234-190, is described in a New York Times story as a "symbolic statement by conservatives heading into the end game of a confrontation whose economic and political stakes are hard to overstate." The story also says the legislation "has no chance of passing the Senate."